Can You Get Low Salt Stock Cubes? The Guide to Healthier Cooking

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, most people consume too much salt, which can increase health risks like high blood pressure. Fortunately, for those aiming to reduce their sodium intake, the answer to 'can you get low salt stock cubes?' is yes, with a growing number of brands offering flavorful alternatives.

Quick Summary

Yes, reduced and zero-salt stock cubes are widely available from multiple brands, offering a flavorful way to control sodium intake. Learn about the best options, ingredients to check, and effective usage tips for healthier cooking.

Key Points

Availability: Yes, low salt stock cubes are widely available, with many major brands offering reduced or zero-salt versions to meet growing consumer demand.
Ingredient Awareness: Healthy options focus on flavor from natural ingredients like herbs and vegetables, rather than relying heavily on salt and artificial additives.
Check Labels: When buying, look for 'reduced salt,' 'low sodium,' or 'zero salt' labels and always compare the nutritional information on the packaging.
Homemade Alternative: For ultimate control over sodium, making your own stock from scratch is the healthiest option and can be easily frozen into cubes for later use.
Enhance Flavor: When using low-salt cubes, compensate for reduced sodium by adding fresh herbs, spices, or a touch of acidity to build complex flavors.
Balance Convenience and Health: A combination of high-quality low-salt store-bought cubes and homemade stock can offer both flavor and convenience for different cooking needs.

The Availability of Low-Sodium Stock Cubes

For many years, convenience and flavor came with a high-sodium price tag when it came to stock cubes. However, health-conscious consumers have driven a shift in the market, leading to an increase in reduced-salt and even zero-salt options. These products allow home cooks to add rich, savory depth to their dishes without compromising their dietary needs. Brands like Knorr and Kallo have been at the forefront of this movement, providing stock cubes that prioritize flavor from herbs, spices, and vegetables rather than relying heavily on salt. This provides a much healthier and more flexible base for creating everything from soups and stews to sauces and risottos, as you can control the exact amount of seasoning you add later.

Where to Find Low-Salt Options

Finding low-sodium stock cubes is now easier than ever. Most major supermarkets and health food stores stock a variety of brands. Online marketplaces and specialized retailers also offer a wide selection, including organic and gluten-free versions. When shopping, be sure to look for key phrases on the packaging, such as 'reduced salt,' 'low sodium,' or 'zero salt.' Always check the nutritional information to confirm the sodium content, as definitions can vary between brands.

Choosing the Right Low-Salt Stock Cube

When selecting a low-salt stock cube, considering the ingredients is crucial. Many low-salt products compensate for the lack of sodium by amping up other flavor compounds. Look for cubes with high vegetable or meat content, and a diverse range of natural herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, lovage, and turmeric.

Reading the Label

Sodium Content: Compare the 'per 100ml' or 'per serving' sodium levels. The healthiest options will have the lowest numbers.
Flavor Enhancers: Check for the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other additives, as some brands use them to boost taste.
Allergens: If you have allergies, carefully review the ingredient list for common allergens like celery or gluten.
Type: Choose the type that best suits your dish, whether it's vegetable, chicken, or beef. Zero-salt options are particularly versatile as they provide a neutral flavor base.

A Comparison of Low-Salt Stock Cubes


Feature	Knorr Zero Salt	Kallo Very Low Salt	Oxo Reduced Salt	Homemade Low-Sodium Stock
Salt Level	Zero Salt	Very Low Salt	25% Less Salt*	Custom/Controlled
Flavor	Rich, authentic flavor from herbs and spices	Enhances natural flavors with organic ingredients	Familiar, savory taste	Deepest, most natural flavor
Ingredients	Natural blend of veg, herbs, spices	Organic vegetables, herbs, sea salt	Seasonings, palm oil, veg extract	Fresh bones/veg, herbs, aromatics
Additives	No artificial colors or preservatives	No artificial colors, flavors, or added MSG	Contains yeast extract	No additives
Convenience	High (cube format)	High (cube format)	High (cube format)	Low (time-intensive)

*25% less salt compared to the standard OXO product.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: The Healthiest Choice

While store-bought low-salt cubes offer unmatched convenience, making your own stock from scratch is the ultimate way to control sodium content and maximize flavor. Using leftover vegetable scraps, chicken carcasses, or beef bones with a variety of fresh herbs and aromatics allows you to create a completely sodium-free or very low-sodium stock. You can even freeze homemade stock in ice cube trays for easy, portion-controlled use, much like a store-bought cube. This approach is often the healthiest, as it avoids any potential additives and gives you total control over the ingredients.

For those who lack the time, store-bought options are a perfectly acceptable, healthy alternative. The key is to select a reputable brand with transparent ingredients and minimal additives. For those who frequently cook, balancing between homemade stock and high-quality low-salt cubes can offer both flexibility and excellent flavor control.

Using Low-Salt Stock Cubes Effectively

Using low-salt stock cubes requires a slightly different approach than their traditional, high-sodium counterparts. Because they contain less salt, you may need to add more of the cube itself or supplement the flavor with other seasonings.

Crumble Directly: Many zero-salt cubes are designed to be crumbled directly into dishes like stews, rice, or pasta for seasoning during cooking.
Enhance with Herbs: Don't be afraid to add extra herbs, black pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to bring out more complex flavors.
Control the Salt: Add salt to the dish incrementally at the end of the cooking process. This allows you to taste and adjust precisely, rather than relying on the cube's pre-determined saltiness.
Explore Stock Pots: Consider low-salt stock pots for a more concentrated, richer flavor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, low salt stock cubes are not only available but are an increasingly common and accessible option for healthier cooking. By choosing brands with reduced or zero-salt varieties, checking ingredient lists carefully, and understanding how to use them to build flavor, you can dramatically cut down on your sodium intake without sacrificing taste. Whether you opt for a store-bought convenience product or a completely homemade version, taking control of the salt in your cooking is a simple step towards a healthier lifestyle. The market now offers solutions that cater to every cook's needs, proving that it's possible to have both convenience and health in the kitchen. For further information on making healthier stock choices, a resource like the Healthy Food Guide offers valuable insights.

A list of ways to enhance flavor without salt

Acidity: A dash of lemon juice or vinegar can brighten flavors.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley, cilantro, or chives can add a burst of freshness.
Spices: A pinch of paprika, cumin, or turmeric can add warmth and depth.
Umami: Nutritional yeast, mushroom powder, or a dash of soy sauce (in moderation) can add a savory dimension.
Aromatics: Sautéed onions, garlic, and celery create a flavorful base from the start.

Visit Healthy Food Guide for more tips on choosing stock

Frequently Asked Questions

Low salt or very low salt cubes are explicitly formulated to have a minimal amount of sodium. 'Reduced salt' stock cubes typically contain at least 25% less salt than the standard version produced by the same brand, but can still contain a significant amount of sodium.

Yes, zero-salt stock cubes are formulated without added salt, meaning they contain only trace amounts of naturally occurring sodium from their vegetable, herb, and spice ingredients. This allows for complete control over the salt content in your cooking.

Several brands offer low-sodium options, including Knorr (Zero Salt), Kallo (Very Low Salt Organic), and Oxo (Reduced Salt). Availability may vary depending on your location and retailer.

To boost flavor, you can use additional aromatics like garlic and onions, incorporate a variety of herbs and spices, or add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten the dish's taste profile.

Yes, you can make your own low-sodium stock by simmering vegetables and/or bones with herbs and freezing the liquid in ice cube trays for later use. This is often the healthiest and most customizable option.

Many low-sodium vegetable stock cubes are suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, but you should always check the product's packaging for specific certifications and ingredient lists to be sure.

Yes, opting for low-salt stock cubes is a simple way to reduce your overall sodium consumption. High sodium intake is linked to elevated blood pressure and other health issues, so reducing it where possible is beneficial.

Low-salt stock cubes are less salty by design, which can make them seem less flavorful initially. However, their flavor is often more concentrated with herbs and spices. This allows you to add salt gradually to your liking, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful dish.